Top Stories
Lloyd's '360 Report' Examines Water Scarcity
Threats to Business.—reliability high.
"A new report in Lloyd's "360" series examines the threats posed to
business as a result of the increasing scarcity of water. According to
the report, Global water scarcity: risks and challenges for business,
prepared in cooperation with the conservation organization the World
Wildlife Fund (WWF), both continued population growth and climate
change are the principle causes. The report concludes that "businesses
will have to address and manage the risk of water scarcity in the
future, highlighting that all goods require water at some point in
their production, as well as it being the most important human
resource. As water resources become scarce, even companies that hold a
water license – which entitles them to use a set amount of water – may
face risks as governments seek to re-allocate water to priority
users." More highlights of report. See Insurance
Journal. PDF of report here.
[Go long on water?]
Regulators Approve First Offshore Wind Farm
in U.S.—reliability high.
"After nine years of regulatory review, the federal government gave
the green light Wednesday to the nation’s first offshore wind farm, a
highly contested project off the coast of Cape Cod. The approval of the
130-turbine farm gives a significant boost to the nascent offshore wind
industry in the United States, which has lagged far behind Europe and
China in harnessing the strong and steady power of ocean breezes to
provide electricity to homes and businesses. ... Several regulatory
hurdles remain, and opponents of the wind farm have vowed to go to
court, potentially stalling Cape Wind for several more years." Story in
The New York
Times. [U.S.
has lots of room and wind for "onshore" projects, so offshore hasn't
been as great a priority compared to Europe? On the other hand offshore
can be close to demand and save transmission costs. But then again,
offshore construction costs are higher. U.S. is still feeling its way.]
Britain's environmental politics are a bit
dull.—reliability high.
"There are many thrilling aspects to the British election due to be
held on May 6th. A hard-fought battle over environmental priorities is
not one of them. Climate is the top environmental issue across the
board, and the three major parties, Conservatives, Labour and Liberal
Democrats, broadly agree on the need for measures to cut carbon dioxide
emissions steeply. So, for that matter, do the regional parties and
most of the minor parties." More on parties' positions. See The
Economist Green.View column. [Denial and delay
only among fringe parties in Britain--so different from the U.S. It's
what the voters want.]
Companies,
Industries, Markets and Supply Chains
PFC plans arm to fund green projects.—reliability
high.
"The [Indian] government-run Power Finance Corporation (PFC) wants to
increase its presence in the rapidly growing renewable energy sector.
The company plans to incorporate a subsidiary to focus on
non-conventional energy sources such as wind power, solar and biomass
projects. A PFC official told Business Standard, 'The company
sanctioned Rs 603 crore for renewable energy projects and disbursed Rs
266 crore in 2009-10. In 2010-11, PFC is expected to sanction Rs 1,500
crore and disburse Rs 350 crore in the segment. Thus, it has worked out
the modalities to spin off a subsidiary to look after renewable power
projects.'" From Business
Standard.
Tesco, Sainsbury's and Ecover products 'lack
evidence' for green claims: Which?—reliability high.
"Exaggerated or apparently unsubstantiated green claims are being used
by some companies to sell so-called "eco" products, according to a
consumer group. A Which?
study of 14 household items including laundry tablets, toilet cleaners
and nappies found almost half were marketed with green claims that the
companies did not support with convincing evidence. Tesco had agreed to
alter the packaging of its Tesco Naturally toilet cleaner as a result
of the research, Which?
said." Story in The
Guardian. PDF of the report here.
First Solar Agrees to Acquire NextLight
Renewable Power, LLC.—reliability high.
"First Solar Inc. and NextLight Renewable Power, LLC today announced
they have entered into a definitive agreement for First Solar to
acquire NextLight, a leading developer of utility-scale solar projects
in the southwestern United States. The acquisition includes a 1,100
megawatt (MW) solar project pipeline ... . ... Total consideration for
the transaction is approximately $285 million". See MarketWatch
from Business Wire
US Cotton launches LCA project.—reliability
high.
"Key members of the US cotton industry are coming together to compile
a comprehensive cotton lifecycle inventory (LCI). Called Vision 21, the
inventory’s data is intended to serve as a foundation for global cotton
lifecycle evaluations and a credible base for sustainable textile
operations. ... the US cotton industry is confident that a transparent
and well-documented cotton lifecycle inventory - one that easily can be
integrated into both proprietary and open source LCA software - will
benefit the industry. And, along with data set collection and tool
creation, the ultimate goal is to make the information globally
available." See EcoTextile
News.
Government and
Regulation
Too Busy for Oil Safety Awards.—reliability
high.
"The Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service, responsible
for overseeing oil drilling on public land and offshore, was scheduled
to present its annual award for exemplary safety and environmental
management by offshore oil industry operators next week. BP, the oil
company that contracted with the rig operator of the well that blew in
the Gulf of Mexico last week, leaving three men injured and 11 missing
and presumed dead, was one of the finalists in the big company
category. ... 'The ongoing situation with the Transocean Deepwater
Horizon drilling accident has caused the M.M.S. to dedicate
considerable resources to the successful resolution of this event,
which will conflict with holding this ceremony next week,' the agency
said in a statement on Wednesday." See The
New York Times Green blog. [Oops.]
[Crossposted from HaraBara.com courtesy of HaraBara, Inc. Copyright © 2010 HaraBara, Inc.]
